Mattress handle assemblies



Feb. 7, y1967 A, ZYSMAN 3,302,221

MATTRESS HANDLE ASSEMBLIES Filed March 5, 1965 i0 7 26 6a 24 23 22 23 24 11011111111 MHH 20@ f Y v mUw'llH Inventor ARTHUR Z YSMAN Agent'.

United States Patent O 3,302,221 MATTRESS HANDLE ASSEMBLES Arthur Zysman, 103 Old Forest Hill Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed Mar. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 437,440 19 Claims. (Cl. 5-345) The present invention relates to mattress handle assemblies, of the type comprising a handle positionable on one side of a mattress border and attachable to one or more registering clasps on the opposite side of said border by means of a fastener element or elements passing through the mattress border t-o pr-ocure installation of the assembly on said border.

In such assemblies the fastener element is commonly formed of metal while the handle itsel-f may be of molded plastic. Moreover for various Ireasons it has hitherto been found necessary to provide a fastener element of relatively complex structure to achieve the required robustness and durability and this in turn has raised the cost of the handle assembly as a whole. More particu- 'larly said fastener elements have hitherto commonly, if not invariably, been in the form of more or less cylindrical elements whereof one end was occluded by a substantially discoid closure with a view to increasing the rigidity of the element.

Accordingly it is a broad general object of the invention to provide an improved rugged and durable handie assembly `which may be easily and securely installed on a mattress border and which is yet of relatively simple construction and economical to manufacture.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide in a handle assembly for installation on a matt-ress border an improved fastener element having the requisite rigidity and anchoring properties but which can be produced by relatively simple manufacturing processes, and it is a related object to provide in such assembly a handle which is capable of reinforcing the fastener element if necessary.

-It is a further object of the invention to provide in a handle assembly an improved 'fastener element as aforesaid which may be formed -asa unitary structure by stamping out and rolling strip metal.

It is a further object -of the invention to provide in a handle assembly an improved fastener element as aforesaid Which may be formed from a strip of metal bent into the substantial configuration of an open-ended cylinder yet being suiiiciently -rigid Afor its intended purpose, in contrast to the prior art fasteners which achieved such rigidity by means of the discoid closures previously mentioned which in turn led to a corresponding complexity of manufacture.

It is a Afurther object of the invention to provide in a handle assembly an impr-oved fastener element as aforesaid which is capable of piercing the fabric of a mattress border.

It is a further :object of the invention to provide in a handle assembly an improved fastener element as aforesaid including spikes disposed to pierce t-he mattress border and means reinforcing said spikes against bending.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved fastener element as aforesaid which in cooperation with a handle, c-ombines the advantages of rigidity and stress resistance afforded by an annular struc- 3,302,221 Patented Feb. 7, 1967 ture with the constructiona-l simplicity of a discontinuous strip.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in a handle assembly, -a band-'like Ifastener element which is Ireinforcible in use by the material of the handle.

It is a further object of the invention t-o provide an improved handle assembly wherein a narrow, extended fastener element is reinforced against buckling when the assembly is installed on a mattress Aborder by being sandwiched between tw-o portions of a handle forming part of said assembly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in an assembly as aforesaid a handle which is readily mouldable in plastic as a unitary structure.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by the provision of a handle assembly for installation on a mattress border comprising a `handle having at least one terminal by which it is attachable to a mattress border, a fastening band including a continuous linear spine and skirting extending therefrom, and a clasp inter-engageable with said skirting. In use the handle terminal and the clasp are disposed on opposite sides of a mattress border in -registration with each other, the terminal being apertured to permit insertion of the skirting through the terminal and the mattress border for clasping engagement with the clasp. The spine of the -fastening band is shaped to be retained by the terminal when the ski-rting is engaged with the clasp as aforesaid.

Preferably theskirting of the fastening bland includes a spaced series of spikes interconnected by webs, said spikes and webs forming a unitary structure with the spine aforesaid. In this case the clasp is engageable with the spikes.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a partially exploded perspective view showing a handle assembly in accordance with the invention installed on a mattress border;

FIG. 2 is a part sectional, part elevational View of a handle terminal on the line II--II of FIG. 3 a fastening band being shown positioned in said terminal;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing one terminal of the handle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of FIG. 1 with the handle terminal shown in side elevation;

FIG. 5 is a section on the line V-V of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fastening band forming part of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, the band being also shown in developed form in chain dotted lines.

A handle assembly 2 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 which is a partially exploded view of the assembly installed upon a portion of mattress border 4.

It will be understood that the assembly 2 is intended to be installed upon the border 4 before the latter is incorporated into a mattress and that for this reason, as well as for reasons of clear illustration, no other mattress part is shown in the drawings.

Moreover although mattress borders commonly include a plurality of layers for the sake of simplicity the border 4 is shown as comprising a single layer only.

As shown the assembly includes a handle 6 having two terminals 7 with each of which there is associated a fasten'- ing band 8 and a clasp 10. The fastening band 8 comprises a continuous linear spine 12 and skirting 14 extending therefrom with which the clasp is interengageable.

Each handle terminal 7 is disposable on one side of the mattress border 4 in registration with the corresponding clasp 10 on the other side thereof and is apertured at 15 to permit insertion of the skirting 14 of the fastening band 8 through the terminal 7. The skirting 14 also penetrates the mattress border 4 for clasping engagement with the clasp 10 on said other side thereof. The spine 12 is shaped to be retained by the terminal 7 when the skirting 14 and clasp 10 are interengaged, whereby the handle 6 is maintained in assembled relation with the mattress border 4.

In FIG. 1 the various elements of the handle assembly 2 are shown in exploded relation at the left hand side of the gure and in assembled relation on the border 4 at the right hand side of the figure.

The general arrangement of parts having been described it is now expedient to consider in more detail the structure of the individual items making up the assembly 2.

The fastening band 8 is shown in isolation in FIG. 6 and in the present embodiment is formed as a unitary structure from a single double-ended strip of metal bent into part-annular configuration. As shown the skirting 14 is cut away or indented at 14 to form a fringe of pointed spikes 16 arranged in spaced order and extending in the same direction from the spine 12, said spikes being interconnected by a plurality of webs 18 disposed therebetween. The spine 12 may take the form of a flange to which the spikes 16 are attached at their roots.

For convenience in the ensuing description the spine 12 will from time to time be referred to as the flange 12, but it should be understood that a flange is but one form that may be taken by the spine 12 and that the use of this terminology does not exclude the possibility of the spine having some other shape.

Bands of this nature can be manufactured very simply from continuous elongated lengths of metal strip which are stamped out to provide the spikes 16 and webs 18, rolled to form the flange 12, severed into short lengths and bent to the part-annular shape shown. An intermediate stage in the manufacture of the band 8 is illustrated in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 6 wherein the band is shown in its elongated form before bending thereof. It is noteworthy that although the band 8 is not a complete annulus in this embodiment it is yet suiciently rigid for the present purposes, its rigidity being greatly enhanced by the angular relationship of the flange 12 to that portion of the skirting 14 composed of the roots of the spikes 16 and the webs 18, which portion merges with the flange 12 as illustrated. The webs 18, therefore, have two basic functions, rst to fill in the spaces between the roots of the spikes 16 and provide in association therewith and with the flange 12 a strong, buckle-resistant angled formation, and secondly to strengthen the spikes 16 themselves against radial deflection relative to the band 8 as a whole.

The handle terminals 7 which are disposed at opposite ends of the handle 6 are of identical construction and accordingly a description of one will suce. As shown the handle 6 is cranked at 6a between each terminal 7 and the main gripping portion 6b of the handle to space the portion 6b from the mattress border 4 when the assembly 2 is installed thereon and thereby facilitate gripping of the portion 6b. Each terminal 7 includes an aperture 15, as previously mentioned, said aperture being defined by a frame 20 constituted by the substance of the handle 6 surrounding it.

A tongue 22 projects from the frame 20 into the aperture substantially filling the aperture 15 and coop erate with the -frame to provide a narrow clearance 23 of arcuate shape. At the left-hand side of FIG. 1 the tongue 22 has been broken away for the sake of clean ly showing the aperture 15. The clearance 23, as shown,

substantially corresponds in length to the fastening band 8 and has an arcuate extent corresponding to the major portion of a circle, the tongue 22 being relatively narrow adjacent to its point of connection to the frame 20 and being enlarged remote from said point of connection.

For a purpose which will appear the frame 20 is preferably rabetted adjacent to the clearance 23 to provide a part-annular recess 24.

The clasp 10 may comprise a simple, circular ring as illustrated which engages with the band 8 in a manner to be described.

To install the assembly 2 on the mattress border 4 the handle 6 is disposed on the outside surface of the border, that is to say the surface which will be presented to view in the finished mattress, and the clasps 10 on the inner surface thereof in registration with the respective terminals 7 of the handle.

The spikes 16 of a fastening band 8 are inserted through the clearance 23 in each terminal 7 and through the border 4, being then clinched or bent part-way round the corresponding clasp 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The flange 12 abuts against the frame 20, seating in the partannular recess 24 to prevent the fastening band 8 from passing completely through the terminal 7, and to retain the handle on the mattress border 4.

It will be clear from FIGS. l and 2 that when the assembly 2 is installed on the border 4 the fastening band 8 is confined within the clearance 23 to restrict play thereof within the aperture 15. It will also be understood that the tongue 22 which substantially ills the aperture 15 as previously mentioned buttresses the lband 8 against any tendency to buckle or be deliected inwards of the frame 20, and in its narrow region also engages between the spikes 16 disposed at the respective ends 25-25 of the band 8 to maintain them in their correctly spaced relation and to complete, as it were, the incomplete annulus defined by the band 8.

In the present embodiment the webs 18 are dimensioned so as to ybe substantially completely housed within the terminal 7 when the spikes 16 are interengaged with the clasp 10, that is to say the webs 18 do not project to any substantial degree beyond the opposed faces 26 and 28 of the terminal 7, particularly not beyond the face 28 of the terminal which lies adjacent to the mattress border 4 when the assembly 2 is installed thereon.

It is contemplated that the handle forming part of the present invention Ibe moulded as a unitary structure from plastic material and the embodiment thereof illustrated in the drawings has been found particularly suited to this mode of production. However the invention is not restricted to the use of this particular material which is mentioned for the sake of example only.

The handle assembly 2 of the invention thus affords a simple, lightweight but heavy duty fastening band 8 by which each handle terminal 7 can be securely connected to the corresponding clasp 10, and a handle 6 capable of reinforcing the fastening band, if necessary, by means of the tongue 22 disposed within each terminal 7 thereof. In practice the assembly 2 when installed upon a mattress border such as 4 has been found strongly resistant to detachment from the border and has exhibited no tendency to weaken unduly or to tear the material of the border when subjected to the stresses normally incident to use.

Various modifications of the embodiment herein described will readily suggest themselves to a person skilled in the art and it is to be understood that the invention comprehends all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims now following.

What I claim is:

1. A handle assembly for installation on a mattress border comprising:

A handle having at least one terminal by which it is attachable to a mattress border;

A fastening band comprising an elongated, doubleended, strip of band material having a continuous mattress border in registration with said clasp on the' other side thereof and being also apertured to permit `insertion of said skirting through said terminal and through said mattress border for clasping engagement with said clasp;

Said spine being shaped to be retained by said terminal when said skirting is engaged with said clasp as aforesaid.

2. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

Said skirting includes an indented fringe.

3. A handle assembly for installation on a mattress border comprising:

A handle having at least one terminal by which it is attachable to a mattress border;

A fastening band comprising an elongated, doubleended, strip of band material having a continuous linear spine and a plurality of pointed spikes extending therefrom in spaced order and in the same direction, and

A clasp for said fastening band interengageable with said spikes;

Said handle terminal being disposable on one side of a mattress border in registration with said clasp on the other side thereof and being also apertured to permit insertion of said spikes through said terminal and said mattress border for clasping engagement with said clasp;

Said spine being shaped to be retained by said terminal when said spikes are engaged with said clasp as aforesaid.

4. A handle assembly for installation ona mattress border comprising:

A handle having at least one terminal by which it is attachable to a mattress border;

A fastening band formed of an elongated double-ended, strip of band material and including a continuous linear spine, a plurality of pointed spikes extending therefrom in spaced order and in the same direction, and a plurality of webs interconnecting said spikes, and

A clasp interengageable with said spikes;

Said handle terminal being disposable on one side of a mattress border in registration with said clasp on the other side thereof and being also apertured to permit insertion of said spikes through said terminal and said mattress border for clasping engagement with said clasp;

Said spine being shaped t-o be retained by said terminal and said webs being dimensioned so as to be substantially completely housed within said terminal when said spikes are engaged with said clasp as aforesaid.

5. A- handle assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein: Said webs are disposed adjacent to and merge with said spine.

6. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein: Said spine comprises a flange disposed at an angle to said spikes. j

7. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

Said spine comprises a flange disposed at an angle to said spikes and said webs;

Said we'bs and said spikes being attached to said flange.

8. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein: Said fastening band is an incomplete annulus.

9. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein: Said handle terminal includes only a single aperture through which all of said spikes are insertible and a torque projecting into said aperture and disposable between a pair of said spikes.

10. A handle .assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

Said handle terminal includes a frame defining a single aperture through which all of said spikes are insertible;

Said fastening band spine comprising a flange directed to overlap and seat on said frame when the spikes are engaged with the clasp as aforesaid for installing said handle on said mattress border.

11. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

Said spine and said spikes form a unitary structure.

12. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

Said webs are disposed adjacent to and merge with said spine;

Said spine, said spikes and said webs forming a unitary structure.

13. A handle assembly for installation on a mattress border comprising:

A handle having at least one terminal by which it is attachable t-o a mattress border;

A fastening band comprising a continuous linear spine and a plurality of pointed spikes extending therefrom in spaced order and in the same direction;

A clasp interengageable with said spikes;

Said handle terminal being disposable on one side of a mattress border in registration with said clasp on the other side thereof and having an aperture therein to permit insertion of said spikes through said terminal and said mattress border for clasping engagement with said clasp as aforesaid;

A frame for said aperture constituted by the handle substance surrounding it, and

A tongue projecting from said frame substantially l'illing said aperture and co-operating with said frame to provide a narrow clearance within which said fastening band is connable to restrict play thereof within said aperture and to buttress it against buckling;

Said spine being shaped to be retained by said terminal when said spikes are engaged with said clasp as aforesaid.

14. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

Said fastening band spine comprises a flange directed to overlap and seat on said frame when said spikes are eny gaged with the clasp as aforesaid for installing said handle on said mattress border.

15. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

Said fastening band spine comprises a flange directed to overlap and seat on said frame when said spikes are engaged with the clasp as aforesaid for installing said handle on said mattress border;

Said frame being rabetted adjacent to said clearance providing a recess in which said flange is receivable.

16. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

Said fastening band is an incomplete annulus;

Said clearance constituting an arcuate passageway substantially corresponding in length to the said fastening band.

17. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

Said tongue is integral with said frame.

18. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein: Said tongue is engageable between apair of said spikes.

19. A handle assembly for installation on a mattress border comprising:

A handle having a pair of terminals by which it is attachable to a mattress border;

A pair of fastening bands each comprising an elongated,

double-ended, strip of band material having a continuous linear spine and a plurality of pointed spikes extending therefrom in spaced order and in the same direction, and

A pair of clasps respectively engageable with the spikes of said fastening bands;

Said terminals being disposable on one side of a mattress border respectively in registration with said clasps on the other side thereof and each terminal being apertured to permit insertion of the spikes of one of said 'bands through said terminal and through 7 said mattress border for clasping engagement with one of said clasps; Each said spine ybeing shaped to be retained by one of said terminals when the spikes extending therefrom are engaged with a clasp as aforesaid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,355,200 8/1944 Bechik 5- 4 Ponpitch. Bechik. Bechik. Bechik.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

3 5 11/1960 Bechik 5 345 10 A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLATION ON A MATTRESS BORDER COMPRISING: A HANDLE HAVING AT LEAST ONE TERMINAL BY WHICH IT IS ATTACHABLE TO A MATTRESS BORDER; A FASTENING BAND COMPRISING AN ELONGATED, DOUBLEENDED, STRIP OF BAND MATERIAL HAVING A CONTINUOUS LINEAR SPINE AND SKIRTING EXTENDING THEREFROM, AND A CLASP FOR SAID FASTENING BAND INTERENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SKIRTING; SAID HANDLE TERMINAL BEING DISPOSABLE ON ONE SIDE OF A MATTRESS BORDER IN REGISTRATION WITH SAID CLASP ON THE OTHER SIDE THEREOF AND BEING ALSO APERTURED TO PERMIT INSERTION OF SAID SKIRTING THROUGH SAID TERMINAL AND THROUGH SAID MATTRESS BORDER FOR CLASPING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CLASP; SAID SPINE BEING SHAPED TO BE RETAINED BY SAID TERMINAL WHEN SAID SKIRTIN IS ENGAGED WITH SAID CLASP AS AFORESAID. 